If you love paddling, one thing you would want to calculate is the time it would take you to get back. You could easily determine the distance that lays ahead of you but placing a time frame on it might be somewhat difficult.
On average it takes about 30 minutes to kayak a mile if you are paddling on calm waters. Although this could be longer if you are leisurely paddling.
However, how briskly you would complete this mission depends on distinctive conditions. Major pointers to consider are the type of kayak you are using and the weather condition. Your experience would be another thing that would affect your speed on this venture.
This article will guide you on how to quickly kayak a mile.
What is the Maximum Speed of a Kayak?
Well, you might be tempted to say it depends on the speed of the kayak but have you considered that there is a speed limit on these guys? Yes, there is a limit to how fast the kayak can move before it starts to plane. Beyond this speed, the paddler cannot push the kayak any faster. This is referred to as the hull speed.
A lot of math goes into determining the exact value for this speed. Usually, it is obtained when you multiply the square root of the length of the kayak’s hull at the waterline by 1.34. This then implies that if you paddle a kayak that is about 15’ long and about 24” wide, at moderate speed in calm waters, you should make about 2 to 2.5 knots.
For experienced kayakers, the value could be about 3 knots bringing us all to about 20 or 30 minutes for a whole mile’s journey.
Sounds simple right? But we all know equations and hypotheses won’t be paddling your kayak for you and life happens outside of the paper. Let us proceed to discover a few of the variables that can straightforwardly influence how fast a kayak can go, in the hone.
Important Factors That Can Directly Influence Your Kayaking Speed
Always remember; that in an ideal situation, the normal time you need to paddle a mile in a kayak will be around 20 to 30 minutes. But, certainly, an ideal situation is always different from real-life paddling situations. This means that several factors can influence the time range.
What kayak type are you using?
Two main factors determine the type of kayak. These are; speed and length of the kayak, which are so much connected.
Based on these, there are several types of kayaks. For example, touring kayaks, racing kayaks, and sea kayaks. So with the fact that it takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes to kayak one mile, a long and sea kayak should be able to take off approximately in ten minutes.
Generally, the longer and narrower the kayak, the faster it is likely to move. On the other hand, it might take a while longer for a wider kayak to cover a mile.
Does your paddle type matter?
Most beginners overlook the paddle but on the contrary, the paddles originally can also decide the speed of your kayaking adventure. Before using a paddle or choosing a paddle, consider your height, broadness of shoulders, and the width of the kayak. These are the two kayak paddle decisions you have:
High angle paddles are designed to apprehend and clasp water; it gives room for extra hostile strokes and quicker energy. These shorter and broader paddles are matchlessly fitted for narrower kayaks designed for speed.
Whereas, low angled paddles come with long and narrow edges and they are also designed to pass through the water without stress, making sure the user comes out without much hard work. The low-angle paddles are much fitted for wider, rollicking kayaks and extra calm paddling.
What’s the wind condition?
As with every voyage on water, the air current or the wind can either become a kayaker’s favorite pal or worse enemy. It all depends on the energy and direction of the wind.
Take this as an example; no matter the effort you put in place when you are paddling downstream and at the same time battling with a strong wind straight-up; you will hardly gain control.
But if by chance, the wind decides on its own to favor you, blowing in the way you are headed to, it then means you can take less time to kayak a mile than your original speed.
It is better you quit whenever you notice that the climate is becoming more like a storm rather than a normal breeze.
Don’t forget the Water Situations too
Which kind or type of water bodies do you paddle? Is it a gentle lake, ferocious rivers, or on the ocean? Water situations, obstructions, and currents, together with the climate, can influence the speed of your paddling by around one to two miles per hour; it can either be positive or negative.
You should understand better if you have ever ridden a bike uphill without brakes because that is exactly how it feels when you are paddling against a thicker current.
The Load You are Carrying
Another factor that can influence the time you need to kayak a mile is the load or the weight you are carrying on your kayak. For instance: the kayak’s weight, the extra passengers, and materials.
Nevertheless, the entire load you are carrying can also stand against your timing, no matter the effort you put into it. If you want to paddle faster, make sure you maintain your things as light as possible.
The Paddler’s Bodily Capacity and Expertise
You can’t just go into a gym and expect to match the strength of an experienced weightlifter, right?
The same goes for kayaking; your physical ability and expertise matter a lot. It influences the speed at which you can travel. So you are bound to be much slower as a novice.
You begin to get speedy after you have gained enough experience, which includes kayak made exercises, developing perfect paddling techniques, and building your muscle.
Summarily, it usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes to kayak a mile. However, the exact time needed depends on all the factors listed and explained in the article. All of it is capable of influencing the speed and in turn the duration at which you can travel for a mile.